Centerfire rifles using handgun cartridges not allowed for state or public deer

[bulldogs42]

I just wanted to share some info I recently obtained from a friend in law enforcement regarding the upcoming deer season. This relates to those who use guns like a Marlin 44 mag lever action (or the 35 Remington in 1.8 that I use). Hopefully the legislature can remedy this quickly. The following is copied from his Facebook post from today.

"Attention all public land deer hunters. The legislators messed up when they were changing the laws for deer hunting in Indiana this year. It is stated in the statute that no centerfire rifle's are allowed to be used on public or state ground this year. Rifles that use handgun cartridges are NOT allowed on state or public property for the purpose of hunting deer. This information is coming from the upper echelon of the DNR and it has been verified through Indiana conservation officers. If you hunt DEER on state or public ground you are only allowed to use a shotgun or a muzzleloader or archery equipment. I have not gotten verification if regular deer approved handguns are allowed for on state or public private for deer hunting."

 

[Bigtanker]

I'd take anything you read on FB or any part of the internet with a grain of salt UNLESS there is a link to a in.gov site.

I'm not saying you're wrong. But hearing it from a law enforcement officer isn't all that creditable either.

I'll wait for some links posted about the subject.

 

[woodsie57]

Sounds like the kind of FUBAR move the legislature would make

 

[Bigtanker]

Go here>>>> https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm
Download or read pages 23 & 24 of the Indiana hunting and trapping guide. Everything you read in FB is false.

Here are some screen shots from that Guide.

 

[digitalmonster]

I chatted with DNR law enforcement and it is true.

 

[Bhart89]

I wonder if this will actually be enforced? Clearly they admit this was not the intention.

 

[tcecil88]

Bigtanker has the best proof of what is allowed and how it is most accessible to hunters as the hunting guides are available at any WalMart or place that sells a license. I would carry this with you in your day pack. If stopped, show them this. This is in writing and is a way better reference than "I read it on Facebook." LEO's are also never the best source for Hunting regs knowledge. I typically have copies of these in my vehicles just to answer questions like these.
If the LEO pushed the issue, you have the condensed regs, distributed by DNR, right there for him to see, what better argument is there?

 

[M67]

I always thought that the Hunting Regulations book was the "law of the land" for that year, if there's nothing in the book, then it's not so

 

[Bigtanker]

Ok. Looks like the Hunting Guide is wrong. Please read this thread about this subject.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...-cartridge-rifles-no-go-public-land-year.html

 

[ScouT6a]

People are confusing "pistol caliber" rifles, which states bullet diameter of .357" or larger with the new "high power rifle" regs, which states bullet diameter of .243"(6mm) or larger.
The "old" pistol caliber rifle cartridges (.357 magnum, 44 magnum, etcetera) are still legal for public ground.

 

[Bigtanker]

People are confusing "pistol caliber" rifles, which states bullet diameter of .357" or larger with the new "high power rifle" regs, which states bullet diameter of .243"(6mm) or larger.
The "old" pistol caliber rifle cartridges (.357 magnum, 44 magnum, etcetera) are still legal for public ground.

Reading this makes me think different.

House Enrolled Act 1415 that was passed earlier this year by the Indiana General Assembly (state legislators) and signed by the Governor allows some additional rifle cartridges to be used on private land during the deer firearms season, but removed the ability for any rifle to be used on public land for deer hunting.

 

[digitalrebel80]

here it is on the DNR web site look under equipment
DNR: Deer Hunting Questions & Answers

Snip from the site
"All the cartridges that were legal in recent years are legal now only on private land, even though the DNR has allowed them in years past on public land.'

 

[Ggreen]

Well there goes my season

 

[bstewrat3]

Hopefully this gets fixed, but if not I am glad I didn't get rid of the Encore and Contender pistols.

 

[SSGSAD]

I am SO confused ..... FOR example .30 Carbine, AFAIK, has NEVER been legal for deer .....

Is there ANY handgun "season", this year ?????

AND, NO "pistol" caliber rifles, at all ?????

 

[den57]

IC 14-22-2-8Deer hunting; permitted firearms; required report

Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to a hunting season beginning after June 30, 2016, and ending before January 1, 2020.
(b) A hunter may use a rifle during the firearms season to hunt deer subject to the following:
(1) The use of a rifle is permitted only on privately owned land.
(2) The rifle must have a barrel length of at least sixteen (16) inches.
(3) The rifle must be chambered for a cartridge that fires a bullet that is two hundred forty-three thousandths (.243) of an inch in diameter or larger.
(4) The rifle must fire a cartridge that has a minimum case length of one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches, but is no longer than three (3) inches.
(5) A hunter may not possess more than ten (10) cartridges for the rifle while hunting deer under this section.
(6) The rifle must meet any other requirements established by the department.
(c) The use of a full metal jacketed bullet to hunt deer is unlawful.
(d) The department shall report on the impact of the use of rifles to hunt deer under this section to the governor and, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the general assembly before February 15, 2020.
(e) This section expires June 30, 2020.
As added by P.L.110-2016, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.195-2017, SEC.7.

 

[greg]

A hunter may not possess more than ten (10) cartridges for ANY rifle while hunting deer now with new rules!

 

[greg]

IC 14-22-2-8Deer hunting; permitted firearms; required report

Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to a hunting season beginning after June 30, 2016, and ending before January 1, 2020.
(b) A hunter may use a rifle during the firearms season to hunt deer subject to the following:
(1) The use of a rifle is permitted only on privately owned land.
(2) The rifle must have a barrel length of at least sixteen (16) inches.
(3) The rifle must be chambered for a cartridge that fires a bullet that is two hundred forty-three thousandths (.243) of an inch in diameter or larger.
(4) The rifle must fire a cartridge that has a minimum case length of one and sixteen-hundredths (1.16) inches, but is no longer than three (3) inches.
(5) A hunter may not possess more than ten (10) cartridges for the rifle while hunting deer under this section.
(6) The rifle must meet any other requirements established by the department.
(c) The use of a full metal jacketed bullet to hunt deer is unlawful.
(d) The department shall report on the impact of the use of rifles to hunt deer under this section to the governor and, in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6, the general assembly before February 15, 2020.
(e) This section expires June 30, 2020.
As added by P.L.110-2016, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.195-2017, SEC.7.

Anyone see how this could include a muzzle loading rifle or effect them?.....seen where some are grasping at the idea!

 

[TheWabbit]

Things have changed. Before, you couldn't use .45-70 because of the 1.8" max length cartridge even after the 2016 changes (but .308 was fine ). Now the cartridge length limit has bumped to 3" and .45-70 Gov is specifically mentioned as legal.

 

[bwframe]

Just downloaded the 2017 Hunting & Trapping Guide from the DNR site.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2343.htm

http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/17INHD_LR_2.pdf

Page # 23:

Centerfire Rifles
Rifles chambered for cartridges that fire a
bullet of .357-inch diameter or larger, have
a minimum case length of 1.16 inches, and
have a maximum case length of 1.8 inches
are legal to use only during the deer firearms,
youth, reduction zones from Nov. 18-Jan. 31
(in zones where local ordinances allow the use
of a firearm), and special antlerless seasons.
These rifle cartridges can be used on public and
private land...

It says I'm good for regular firearms seasons with my .357 rifle.